Buying Beer At Alabama Gas Stations: What's The Deal?

can you buy beer at gas stations in alabama

Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the US when it comes to alcohol. While the state doesn't prohibit or severely restrict the sale of alcohol, it does have several dry counties, and many others are partially dry. So, can you buy beer at gas stations in Alabama? The answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, beer sales are only allowed during certain hours, and these hours vary by county and city. Additionally, beer sold at gas stations must meet alcohol content restrictions—it cannot exceed 6% ABV. Finally, beer at gas stations must be sold in its original packaging and only for off-premise consumption. So, if you're looking to buy a beer at a gas station in Alabama, make sure you check the local laws and restrictions first!

Characteristics	Values
Can you buy beer at gas stations in Alabama?	Yes
Can you buy liquor at gas stations in Alabama?	No
Are there restrictions on the alcohol content of beer sold at gas stations in Alabama?	Yes, beer must be below 6% ABV
Are there restrictions on the alcohol content of wine sold at gas stations in Alabama?	Yes, wine must be below 16.5% ABV
Are there restrictions on the size of beer bottles sold at gas stations in Alabama?	Yes, bottles must be 16oz or less
Are there any time restrictions on alcohol sales at gas stations in Alabama?	Yes, sales are not permitted between 2am and 9am

Beer and wine sales in Alabama

Alabama has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. While the state is not dry, it has several dry counties, and the sale of alcohol is controlled by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Where can you buy beer and wine in Alabama?

Beer and wine are widely available in Alabama and can be purchased in bars, restaurants, breweries, taprooms, package stores, liquor stores, and even gas stations and grocery stores.

The hours of sale for alcohol are not specified by the state, except that sales are not permitted after 2 am on Sundays. Each county and city can set its own hours for selling alcohol. State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Any other restrictions?

Yes, there are a few other restrictions on beer and wine sales in Alabama. These include:

A 6% ABV cap on beer sales, with bottles not exceeding 16 oz.
A 14.9% ABV limit on wine.
Beer sold in gas stations must be below 6% ABV, and wine must be low-strength (below 16.5% ABV).
All sales in gas stations must be for off-premise consumption and in the original packaging.

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Alabama's dry counties

Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the United States when it comes to alcohol. The state has several dry counties, meaning there are very few or no options for purchasing alcohol. However, it's important to note that even within these dry counties, there are often "wet" cities that allow the sale of alcohol.

Clay County was the last completely dry county in Alabama, with none of its local municipalities or cities able to sell alcohol. However, in 2016, the cities of Lineville and Ashland voted to legalize the sale of alcohol. This means that currently, there are no completely dry counties in Alabama.

Even in counties where alcohol sales are permitted, there are still strict regulations in place. For example, beer sold in gas stations must meet alcohol content restrictions and can only be sold during designated hours. Additionally, counties and cities are allowed to set their own hours for selling alcohol.

The sale of alcohol in Alabama is controlled by the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board, which has been regulating distribution, sales, and licensing since 1937. The state also has a three-tier system, where all suppliers and product manufacturers must sell to a company in the "middle tier," which consists of wholesalers and importers.

While Alabama has strict laws regarding the sale and distribution of alcohol, consumption within the state remains high. Understanding the state-imposed laws and regulations is crucial for producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers alike.

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Alcohol sales hours in Alabama

Alabama has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol, and these vary between counties and cities. The state does not specify the hours of sale, except that alcohol cannot be sold after 2 am on Sundays. Each county and city can set its own sales hours.

State-run liquor stores are open from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, as well as on Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Grocery and liquor stores are able to sell alcohol between 6 am and 2 am, Sunday to Saturday.

In Montgomery, Alabama, you can buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7. You can buy beer for on-premise consumption 24 hours a day, except for Sunday.

Alabama has no counties that are completely dry. Of the 67 counties in the state, 24 are partially dry, meaning they have wet cities within them.

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Alcohol delivery in Alabama

Alabama has some of the strictest laws in the United States when it comes to alcohol. The state has several dry counties, meaning there are very few options for purchasing alcohol. However, alcohol delivery is permitted in Alabama, provided the business delivering it is licensed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board.

Alcohol Delivery Services in Alabama

Since 2021, ABC-licensed businesses have been able to deliver wine, beer, and spirits to customers at home. There are currently 11 delivery service licensees, including FetchMe and BUZD, which deliver alcohol in small territories across the state. These companies offer delivery from select retailers and often include additional fees and driver tips.

Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipments

The Alabama Legislature also permits wineries across the country to ship limited quantities of wine directly to Alabama consumers. Customers can buy up to 12 9-liter cases of wine per year from a winery. There are approximately 192 direct wine shippers signed up for these shipments.

Alcohol Delivery Process

The alcohol delivery process in Alabama involves several checks to ensure compliance with the law:

Delivery employees undergo criminal background checks and are trained to identify underage or intoxicated individuals and fake or altered IDs.
Drivers must ensure payment is processed before removing alcohol from the premises.
Customers are required to provide a signature and government-issued ID, which drivers verify using ID scanning software, to confirm they are 21 or older.
If the recipient is underage, fails to provide a signature, or appears intoxicated, the delivery person must return the alcoholic beverages to the retailer.

Alcohol Delivery Apps in Alabama

Several apps, such as Instacart and Drizly, offer alcohol delivery services in Alabama. These apps allow users to order beer, wine, spirits, and mixers and have them delivered to their doorstep. However, Drizly has announced that it will be closing in March 2024.

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Alcohol consumption laws in Alabama

Alabama has strict laws when it comes to alcohol, from manufacturing to consumption. The state has several dry counties, meaning there are very few options for purchasing alcohol or, in some cases, no options at all. Despite this, there is still a notable level of alcohol consumption within the state.

Minimum Age Laws

In Alabama, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol. This includes active members of the U.S. military. The legal drinking age of 21 is also the minimum age to purchase alcohol and possess it in public.

Other Alcohol Laws

Alabama has a government monopoly on the sale of wine with an alcohol content of 14% or higher and all distilled spirits.
Grocery and convenience stores may sell wine with under 14% alcohol and beer under 6% alcohol.
It is illegal to serve alcoholic beverages after 2 a.m.
It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Retailers can be convicted if they fail to recognise a false ID.
It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.02%.
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). A DUI occurs if a driver has a BAC of 0.08% or 0.02% if the driver is under 21.
Alabama has a three-tier system for alcohol sales. All aspects of the sale of alcohol must take place within this system, meaning all suppliers and manufacturers must sell to a company in the "middle tier", i.e. wholesalers and/or importers.
A sales tax rate of 4% applies to all alcohol purchases made in the state.
It is illegal to possess in public an open container of an alcoholic beverage.
It is illegal to consume alcohol in a motor vehicle.
It is illegal to operate a boat or similar device while intoxicated.

Dry Counties and Towns

Alabama has a number of dry counties and towns where the sale of alcohol is prohibited. Twenty-six of Alabama's 67 counties do not allow the sale of alcohol, although possession and consumption remain legal.